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Comings & Goings
Promotion for Braeu; Rev. Berger leaving D.C.
The ‘Comings & Goings’ column chronicles important life changes of Blade readers.
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].
Congratulations to J. James Braeu who has been named by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage as the new branch vice president of the company’s Arlington office, where he will lead 35 independent sales associates. Braeu has more than 11 years of experience in real estate. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Mid-Atlantic is a leading residential real estate company with 31 sales and resort rental locations and more than 2,250 sales associates serving the communities of Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and the Maryland and Delaware beaches.
J. James Braeu (Photo courtesy of Braeu)
Braeu began his affiliation with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in its Dupont/Logan office in 2005. His knowledge of the area stems from having been a resident for 28 years. He specialized in home and condominium sales, and has been recognized as a top sales agent throughout his tenure there. Upon learning of his new appointment, Braeu said, “I’m truly excited and looking forward to my role as branch vice president for such an incredibly dynamic and talented group of agents. My experience in recruiting, business planning and providing professional development will be very helpful in supporting the Arlington office.”
Before entering the real estate field in D.C., James had a background in sales and management with a 12-year career in full-service catering sales and event planning in the metro area. He grew up in a construction development and real estate family in northern California, establishing his passion for real estate at an early age. Braeu graduated from California State University, Chico in 1988 with degrees in International Relations, European Studies, German and French.
Congratulations are also due to well-known interfaith minister and LGBT activist Rev. Bonnie J. Berger who has announced she is leaving the area after living here since 1984. She and her partner of 10 years will be making Chapel Hill, N.C. their new home.
Upon making the announcement, Berger said, “Yes, I still find it hard to believe that we are moving to the land of HB2 and no LGBT discrimination protections. We are moving there with eyes and hearts wide open. Spirit calls us on many different journeys. North Carolina could definitely use more love and light to counteract the political foolishness that is taking place there. We are prepared to be those beacons.” Berger’s partner is also an interfaith minister.
Berger added, “I had thought that in these later years I might slow down a bit. But clearly spirit has other ideas in mind. More than ever we need to be celebrating love. I see my move there as a wonderful way to continue to lift the love of our community.” She plans to work for the repeal of HB2 and for the defeat of the N.C. governor in addition to continuing to marry both gay and straight couples.
Bonnie officiated the first gay wedding on the courthouse plaza in D.C. the day it became legal. Since then, she has taken part in more than 700 ceremonies.
A Takoma Park resident, Berger spent many years working for LGBT equality. She was one of the founders of the Free State Justice Campaign that was the predecessor to Equality Maryland. She was also the first open lesbian to serve on a number of Montgomery County boards including the Human Rights Commission, the Police Chiefs Advisory Council, the Partnership Board for Victims of Hate/Violence, and the ACLU. In 2001 she was in the first group of county residents to be inducted into the Human Rights Hall of Fame.
Rev. Bonnie J. Berger (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
Rehoboth Beach
SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer
Labor Day Weekend bustling with events, including David Archuleta performance
Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer in Rehoboth Beach, but there will be no shortage of LGBTQ events, with CAMP Rehoboth’s annual SUNFESTIVAL taking over town this weekend.
Thursday (9/3)
Get your Labor Day Weekend started early Thursday night with happy hour from 5-7 p.m. at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub, followed by Naughtee Bingo hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 8:30 p.m.
After bingo, the party continues with Dancing at Diego’s from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Aqua Bar & Grill will also kick off its Labor Day Weekend festivities Thursday with a DJ spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Friday (9/4)
The weekend ramps up Friday night at Aqua, where DJ Matt Bailer will keep the dance floor moving from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Over at Diego’s, DJ Steve Sidewalk will then take over Diego’s for Freedom Friday from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Saturday (9/5)
The main event of the weekend arrives Saturday with the opening night of CAMP Rehoboth’s SUNFESTIVAL.
Billed as the ultimate party to close out the summer, SUNFESTIVAL has become one of Rehoboth’s signature Labor Day Weekend events. The annual celebration sells out each year, with proceeds benefiting CAMP Rehoboth.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments available at the cash bar while attendees are invited to socialize and find their seats.
Saturday night will feature local singer Ashley Williams as the opening performer, followed by headliner David Archuleta. The event will also feature a live auction.
Back across town Saturday, Aqua will continue its Labor Day Weekend DJ lineup from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Diego’s will also have plenty happening, with ‘Splash Party’ hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 5 p.m., followed by a Saturday Dance Party with Brett Oosterhaus from 9 p.m.- 1:30 a.m.
The Blue Moon hosts its popular Legends Show at 9 p.m. It’s an all-live singing show by the Blue Moon cast of celebrity impersonators.
Etienne Pilon has taken Rehoboth by storm this summer. Check out the talented singer/pianist at The Pines from 7-10 p.m.
Sunday (9/6)
Sunday’s SUNFESTIVAL event will shift the focus to the dance floor, with globally renowned DJs Robbie Leslie and James Anthony scheduled to perform. Doors open at 7 p.m., with dancing continuing until 1 a.m.
On Sunday, Aqua will throw its annual White Party, with DJs spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in white for the holiday weekend celebration.
Diego’s will host its Sunday High T-Dance with Pamala Stanley at 5 p.m. Later that evening, DJ Tannr will be spinning at 9 p.m.
John Flynn is on the piano from 6-8 p.m. at the Blue Moon.
Monday (9/7)
The final day of Labor Day Weekend brings one last chance to hit the dance floor before summer officially winds down.
Aqua will close out its five-day Labor Day Weekend celebration with DJ Biff from 3-7 p.m.
Maryland
Anne Arundel schools now need parent permission to call trans students by preferred names
Conservative groups challenged system’s policy
By JESSICA CALEFATI | Anne Arundel County Public Schools staff cannot use transgender students’ preferred names if their parents oppose it, according to an internal document reviewed by the Banner, a change that comes after conservative groups challenged the school system’s approach to gender identity.
Teachers union president Kristina Korona told members in an Aug. 20 email that the new guidance undermines district policy on acceptance and inclusivity and “will begin harming affected students immediately.”
Previously, the district didn’t require parental permission to use a high school student’s chosen name and pronouns corresponding to their gender identity, the internal document says. Now it does. The change comes as parents challenge the suburban school system’s gender identity policy and regulation in court and the Trump-Vance administration threatens the district’s funding.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
Blade welcomes fall intern
PHOTOS: Miss Gay Old Bay
SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer
Anne Arundel schools now need parent permission to call trans students by preferred names
Shooting outside gay bar in Ariz. leaves three dead
San Francisco, long a queer safe haven, remains competitive for homebuyers
Calendar: August 28-September 3
‘Teenage Sex and Death’ has never been more entertaining
Actor Tim Curry dies at 80
